Kumul (Hami) Travel Guide

 Barkol Lake:  Around 18 km (7 mi) from the northwest of Barkol Kazak Autonomous County, the Barkol Lake is an alpine lake with an altitude of 1,585 m (5,200 feet). It is surrounded by rolling hills and exuberant grassland. Covering an area of 112.15 sq km (about 43.3 sq mi), the oval lake is about 20 km (12.4 mi) long from north to south and about 9 km (5.6 mi) wide from east to west. It is divided into east and west parts by a sand bank. The east part is a far-reaching azure lake which slightly ripples in the winds and the west part is a vast expanse of salt fields, which is the famous salt lake in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

In summer, many white tents, herders, melodious songs, flocks and herds gather around the beautiful lake, presenting a tranquil picturesque view. The clear blue lake mirrors the snow-capped Tianshan Mountains and white clouds, adding beauty and charming to each other.

There is a beautiful story about the Barkol Lake. A Han girl and a Kazak young man named Pu Lei Hai fought together against a mountain devil who wanted to destroy the azure lake. Finally the girl became a stone under the Jianshan Mountain and the young man sank in the lake with the devil.They sacrificed themselves to bring peace to the people. In memory of them, people call the springs of Jianshan Mountain Springs of Han Girl and the lake is called Pu Lei Hai, namely the Barkol Lake. 

 Devil City: The name ‘Devil City’ is given by Mongolian and Kazak sheepherders in this area, because horrific and roaring gale often happens in the grotesque hills. In fact, it is a Yardang landform formed through millions of years of wind erosion. After the ancient lake dried, the ground erodes forming a series of parallel ridges and grooves. The mounds seem like ancient castles, palaces, pagodas, towers, animals and birds. The stunning spectacle attracts many tourists at home and abroad.

The ecological attraction, taking Aisi Kaixiar Anicent Post Stall as the center, includes four major scenic areas: East City, South City, West City and North City. The ancient castle, Goddess Peak, Thousand Buddha Mountain, and Colorful Stone Beach are the major scenic spots in East City. For the ancient castle, the adobe color is very similar to that of the natural environment, so it is difficult to find it. The ruined castle walls still contain peep holes for defense and observation. Many mauve tiles in different sizes can be found in the ruins. The Colorful Stone Beach is like a kaleidoscope of gorgeous colors. Some stones are blood-red and some look like white jade.

Sphinx-like site, Golden Mausoleum Stone Tiger, and ancient Populus Euphratica forest are the major ones in South City. West City mainly includes Heavenly Gate Cave, Twin-Tower Peak, and Stone Mushroom Beach and the North City present Double-Head Horse, Divine Tortoise in “Vast Sea”, Aisi Kaixiar Ancient Town and Rose Willow Beach. 
 Further reading: There is another Devil City in Xinjiang due to the similar Yardang landform. It is the Ghost Town of World, around 100km (62mi) from Karamay city. 

 Other Scenic Spots: Hill with Strange Rocks, Singing Sand Mountain (Mingshashan)

Buses to Urumqi, Jiuquan and Dunhuang usually depart Kumul beginning at 7:00am in the summer and 8:00am in the winter. Visitors can also easily find buses to Turpan. Occasionally, busses also run to Mongolia.

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